Denis Naughten (Roscommon-South Leitrim, Independent)
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To ask the Minister for Health in view of the significant waiting lists for orthodontic treatment, if he will request the special delivery unit within his Department to review the situation with a view to reducing the maxillofacial and orthodontic waiting lists; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16485/13]

Denis Naughten (Roscommon-South Leitrim, Independent)
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To ask the Minister for Health if he will introduce a sponsorship programme for the training of orthodontists to secure their availability for the public dental service; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16486/13]

Alex White (Dublin South, Labour)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 1188 and 1189 together.

A sponsorship programme for training orthodontists is not currently being considered. Guidance as to what changes will be desirable to provide the best possible model of orthodontic care delivery will be provided by the independent review of orthodontic services which has been commissioned by the HSE. It is anticipated that a report for consideration by the HSE and the Department of Health will be ready by the end of the 2nd Quarter of 2013.

A key goal of the Special Delivery Unit (SDU) is to deliver faster more equitable access to hospital services, including maxillofacial surgery. The implementation of the SDU Performance Improvement Programmes is a key driver of reducing waiting times for scheduled and unscheduled care in hospitals, including waiting time targets.